A Year of Embroidery Workshops with Uhaus, Manchester

This post is part of The Workshop Diaries, a behind-the-scenes series exploring how I design and run creative workshops.

Uhaus is a residential building on Oxford Road in Manchester, with a strong sense of community at its heart. Alongside beautiful shared spaces, they run a thoughtful programme of events that bring residents together, from supper clubs to parties and creative workshops.

I’ve been running embroidery workshops with Uhaus for around three years now, but 2025 was the year things really settled into a rhythm. Instead of one-off sessions, we committed to running workshops almost every month, giving us the space to experiment, respond to the seasons, and quietly build a creative community over time.

Rather than repeating the same workshop each time, nearly every session was a new design. We worked seasonally, hearts for Valentine’s Day, ghosts at Halloween, and projects that tied into themes the Uhaus team were already exploring. Because the sessions always had a mix of first-timers and familiar faces, the challenge was designing workshops that felt welcoming for beginners but still interesting for people who had been before.

That balance became a big part of the rhythm of the year. New designs meant new skills that were beginner-friendly, while returning residents could build on what they already knew, adding their own twists or techniques from previous sessions. It was lovely to see how quickly workshops booked up, and to hear people talk about how much they valued having something guided, calm, and creative to return to each month. Over time, I saw people who first came alone start coming together, having met through the sessions.

Designing Something New: Felted Bookmarks

One of the most memorable sessions was the felted bookmarks workshop. That idea came from a few different places. I’d been spending more time reading and wanted to design something that could be finished within the session, knowing that many embroidery projects naturally take longer. It was also about variety. By that point, some residents had a few stitched hoops or tote bags at home, and this felt like a fresh direction.

Because I knew I’d be back again and again, I talked to people during workshops about ideas for future sessions and what they might enjoy. The felted bookmarks felt like a good way to invite new people in and offered regulars something completely different to try - a different fabric, different techniques, and a totally different end product. People loved leaving with something they could use straight away, and a few mentioned they were planning to gift theirs, which always feels like a quiet compliment.

What a Year of Returning Taught Me

Running workshops with the same community over time has really reinforced how important it is for people to carve out a regular moment for creativity. Many residents said they didn’t always manage to stitch between sessions, but that the workshop itself became a protected, special bit of time in their month.

From a teaching perspective, it’s been invaluable. Seeing what lands, what needs adjusting, and how different explanations stick has made me a stronger, more thoughtful teacher. ISometimes when I'm teaching, I repeat the same metaphors, it's a well-known script I stick to (I guess that's my theatre background!), but knowing people might have heard it 5 or 6 times, reminds me to stay present and responsive, and not just fall into autopilot! It’s also pushed me to try new ideas and learn new skills myself. 

Working closely with the Uhaus team has been a big part of that, too. Understanding the building, the people, and what they’re trying to create has encouraged me to think differently about workshops, not just as standalone sessions, but as part of a wider sense of belonging. It’s been a year of embroidery, yes, but also a year of confidence, connection, and coming back.

Thinking about a series of creative workshops for your space?

Running sessions with Uhaus over a longer period has shown me how powerful regular, well-held creative time can be — for individuals and for communities.

If you’re a community manager, workplace, or organisation interested in offering embroidery or slow, creative workshops, you can find more about how I work here, or get in touch for a chat.